Indian Coast Guard Helicopter Makes Emergency Sea Landing During Gujarat Rescue Operation
An Indian Coast Guard helicopter conducting a rescue operation made an emergency landing in the Arabian Sea near Porbandar, Gujarat. One crew member has been retrieved, with efforts ongoing to locate the others. This comes after a recent rescue of 11 crew members from the sinking MV ITT Puma.
- Country:
- India
An Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Advanced Light Helicopter engaged in a rescue operation made an emergency landing in the Arabian Sea near Porbandar, Gujarat. The chopper, which had earlier saved 67 lives during cyclonic weather, faced trouble about 45 km from Porbandar while attempting to evacuate a seriously injured crew member from the motor tanker Hari Leela. The incident occurred around 11 pm on Monday, following a request from the vessel's master, as per an Indian Coast Guard statement.
During the operation, the helicopter with four aircrew members onboard was forced to make an emergency landing at sea. One crew member has been recovered, while a search is underway for the remaining three. Wreckage of the aircraft has been located.
The mishap transpired as the helicopter approached the vessel for evacuation. The ICG has deployed four ships and two aircraft for the ongoing search operation. Just days earlier, on August 26, the ICG rescued 11 crew members from the distressed MV ITT Puma after a challenging nighttime search-and-rescue mission. The cargo vessel had sunk en route from Kolkata to Port Blair, and the ICG's Regional Headquarters (North East) in Kolkata promptly dispatched two vessels and a Dornier aircraft in response to a distress signal.
The Dornier, with advanced night-capable sensors, detected liferafts and survival flares from the crew. Guided by the aircraft, an ICG ship reached the coordinates and found the survivors in two tied-together life rafts. Despite adverse weather conditions, ICG ships Sarang and Amogh, along with the Dornier aircraft, executed a coordinated sea-air rescue, ensuring the safety of the crew.
(With inputs from agencies.)
Google News